Biomimicry

Ar.Nachiketha.B.Phathanjali
What Is Biomimetics?
• Biomimetics is the term used to describe the substances, equipment, mechanism and
systems by which humans imitate natural systems and designs.

• Biomimicry originates from two Greek words

• Bios = Life
• Mimesis= imitate

• Biomimicry operates on the principle that in its 3.8 billion year history, nature has already
found solutions to many problems we are trying to solve.

• Biomimicry is multi-disciplinary subject involving wide diversity of other domains like

architecture, electronics, medicines, biology, chemistry, mathematics etc.
How Did It Begin?
• American biophysicist and polymath.

• Coined the term Biomimetics in 1950’s.

• Developed Schmitt trigger by studying the

nerves in squid.

• Attempted to engineer a device that

replicated the system of nerve propagation.

Otto Schmitt (1913-1998)

Biomimicry

• "innovation inspired by nature" (Benyus, 1997).

• “Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of life's genius.“

• Biomimicry is also defined as "mimicking the functional basis of biological forms, processes
and systems to produce sustainable solutions." (Pawlyn, 2011)
In 1997 when Janine M. Benyus published a book called "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by
Nature", biomimicry became well known

• Does it run on sunlight?

• Does it use only the energy it needs?
• Does it fit form to function?
• Does it recycle everything?
• Does it reward cooperation?
• Does it bank on diversity?
• Does it utilize local expertise?
• Does it curb excess from within?
• Does it tap the power of limits?
• Is it Beautiful?
“I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of
biology and technology. A new era is beginning.”
-Steve Jobs
“When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“When we look at what is truly sustainable, the only real model that has worked over long periods of
time is the natural world.”
-Janine Benyus
VELCRO was designed by studying the seeds of ([sticky grass?] or [saramenia aleynia?] ) and
(NAGADARANA).

Mr. George Mistral founded a business worth millions in 1951, simply by observing the seeds clinging to
his dog’s fur.
“You could look at nature as being like a catalog of products, and all of those have benefited from a
3.8 billion year research and development period. And given that level of investment, it makes
sense to use it.”
-Michael Pawlyn
Approaches To Biomimicry

There are two approaches to Biomimetic design

 Design to Biology Biology to Design

DaimlerChrysler’s Bionic Car Lotus inspired’s Lotusan Paint

Sustainable Development and
Bio mimicry
Basic Principles of Biomimicry
• Nature runs on sunlight.
• Nature uses only the energy it needs.
• Nature fits form to function.
• Nature recycles everything.
• Nature rewards cooperation.
• Nature banks on diversity.
• Nature demands local expertise.
• Nature curbs excesses from within.
• Nature taps the power of limits.
Examples:
• Learning from Termites How to Create Sustainable Buildings
• Learning from Human Lungs How to Sequester Carbon
• Learning from Humpback Whales How to Create Efficient Wind Power
• Learning from Nature How to Create Flow without Friction
• Learning from Dolphins How to Warn People about Tsunamis
• Learning from Trees and Bones How to Optimize Strength and Materials
• Learning From Chimpanzees How to Heal Ourselves
• Learning from Lotus Plants How to Clean without Cleaners
• Learning Efficiency from Kingfishers
Level of Biomimicry
Level of Biomimicry
Level of Biomimicry
Stuttgart Airport (Gerkan, Marg & Partner) 1991
Biomimicry top-down and bottom-up approaches
Biomimicry spiral provides an opportunity to learn about natural elements and bring new strategies to the table. It
disrupts traditional thinking and creates a new level of curiosity.
That is, how nature solves your challenges?
Biomimicry Spiral
• Biomimicry in architecture not only produces creative systems but also induces creative
thinking in Architects.
• Carl Hastrick developed a biomimicry spiral demonstrating a step-by-step process to turn
natural strategies into creative design solutions:

1. Identify – make a list of the functions your building will perform.

2. Translate – translate it to biological terms; i.e. think how nature does this function.
3. Discover – discover the natural heroes who solve your challenges.
4. Abstract – reinterpret the discovered strategies in architectural terms.
5. Emulate – devise a design solution from the strategies.
6. Evaluate – evaluate your design solution against your old brief from step 1 and against the
natural rules you discovered in step 3.
Termite mound’s ventilation structure
• Minuscule termites build giant mounds to grow and house fungus
(their main food).
• The amazement kicks in with the complex ventilation system of this
structure.
• The Fungus must be kept at 87 F while the outside temperature
ranges between 35 F (night) – 104 F (day).
• Termites achieve this by constantly opening and closing thousands of
heating and cooling vents at the surface of the mound.
• Air is sucked in the lower part of the mound, moving down into the
mud enclosures and up through the channels at the peak.
• The termites continuously dig new vents and plug up the old ones to
fine-tune the system.
Eastgate Center in Zimbabwe mimics a similar concept. The concrete building mass warms or cools
the winds entering the building depending on which is hotter, the concrete or the air.
Melbourne Council House 2 (CH2)
• Melbourne Council House 2 (CH2) is a multi-award winning
and inspirational building

Reduced
• CO2 emissions by 87%,
• electricity consumption by 82%,
• gas by 87% &
• water by 72%.

• The building purges stale air at night and pulls in 100% fresh
air during the day.
 The sustainable technologies used in CH2 are not new, but they have never been used
collectively before in Australia.

• undulating high thermal mass concrete ceilings which improve air circulation, cooling and natural light and
reduce energy demands by 14% in summer
• photovoltaic cells, which power a façade of louvers. These track the sun to ensure the building is shaded
• a water mining plant delivering 100,000 liters of recycled water per day
• roof top solar panels for water heating
• glare control throughout the building
• 'shower towers' that cool water and air using low amounts of energy
• a green roof space generating oxygen
• roof mounted wind turbines that purge air during the night and generate electricity during the day
• solar shading on the exterior and interior of the building
• automatic night-purge windows to cool the concrete ceilings
Beijing National Stadium
Inspiration
 Bird’s nest
Application in design
 “Cushion system” adopted where façade is in-filled with
translucent ETFE panels just like a nest is insulated by
small pieces of material.
Problem solved
 Protects spectators from elements
 Provides acoustic insulation,
 Reduces maintenance cost
 Reduces dead load,
 Filters sun rays
Level of Biomimicry
 Behaviour Level
30 St Mary Axe
London, UK 1997 - 2004
Shading structure that shades as trees do
Responsive Façade

The facade of Esplanade Theatre, for example, mimics the semi-rigid skin of the durian plant which is
covered in thorns to protect its inner content. The building’s exterior adjusts throughout the day to allow
sunlight in without overheating the space.
Lavasa Hill Station Master Plan, Mose Valley, Pune, India
A new hill resort and a bio-mimetic city named Lavasa has been constructed by HCC Group with the
help of an architectural firm, HOK
Lavasa Hill Station Master Plan
• 70%
Amount of previously deforested land that will be restored through detailed
landscaping, reforestation and slope greening
• 30%
Reduction in carbon emissions
• 65%
Reduction in potable water consumption
• 95%
Reduction of waste sent to landfill
When construction is complete sometime after 2020, the total development will include five new urban
villages with populations ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 people. Millions more will visit each year.
Working closely with biologists from Biomimicry 3.8, HOK studied the living creatures and plants of the
moist, deciduous ecosystem to provide guidance and models for establishing locally attuned design
strategies that respond to other challenges of the local biome.
Reforestation, bioswales, rainwater harvesting and environmentally sensitive construction practices are
all part of the plan.
The overall Lavasa development includes three self-sustaining towns: Dasve, Gadle and Dhamanohol.
The 1,700-acre Dasve Valley is the Phase One development currently nearing completion.
 Building inspired by plants /flower:

Self-sustainable
Energy efficient
Recycling
Aesthetically appealing
Low maintenance
 Building inspired by organisms:

Resistant to imposed forces

Structural stability
Controlled entry of sunlight
Regulation of internal temperature
Aesthetics
Acoustics
 Buildings inspired by natural forms:
 Effective channelling of wind
 Increase thermal mass capacity
 Dynamic form
 Acoustics.
 Energy efficiency